Lin Changqing followed the Purple Firmament Heavenly Lord and his party into the city through a side gate at the rear of the Border-Guard Fortress.
As soon as he passed through the gateway, the view opened up before him.
The interior of the Border-Guard Fortress was far larger than he had imagined. The entire fortress was divided into three sections, from front to back.
The outermost section housed the garrison and defensive works, the middle section contained the marketplace, warehouses, and temporary cave abodes, and the innermost section held the command center and teleportation hall.
Thick iron pillars inscribed with spiritual patterns stood along both sides of the road at intervals of ten paces.
The spirit lamps atop the pillars shone with a cold white light, illuminating the entire street without leaving a single shadow.
The air carried a mingled smell of metal and gunpowder.
A faint fragrance of spirit herbs drifted in from the marketplace, mixed into the smell.
So this is a war fortress. Even tougher than it looks from outside.
The thought crossed Lin Changqing's mind.
He continued forward with the others.
Armored cultivators filled the streets.
Some carried supplies, some handed over assignments, and others leaned against the walls, seizing every moment to regulate their breathing.
Everyone looked exhausted, but few complained.
Occasionally, someone glanced toward their party.
Upon seeing the Purple Firmament Heavenly Lord and the True Immortal elders together, they hurried to the roadside and saluted with cupped fists.
"Greetings, Marshal! Greetings, Elders!"
Their voices were filled with reverence.
The Purple Firmament Heavenly Lord merely nodded without breaking stride.
Before long,
the party arrived before a small, freestanding hall.
The hall was not particularly tall, with only two stories.
Its outer walls were built from dark blue stone, their surfaces engraved with soundproofing formations